Phillies Sign Outfielder Delmon Young

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 18: Delmon Young #21 of the Detroit Tigers hits a RBI single in the first inning against the New York Yankees during game four of the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park on October 18, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

By Spike Eskin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Ruben Amaro has stated that if he has to go into the 2013 season with the Phillies outfield as it’s currently constructed, he’ll do it, but it’s not his preference.

That became obvious today when the Phillies signed outfielder Delmon Young to a one-year contract worth $750,000, including performance bonuses.

“Delmon is an experienced major league bat who will add some depth to our relatively inexperienced outfield and another layer of competition for playing time there as well,” Amaro said via press release.

As it stood before the signing, Ben Revere would be the team’s starting centerfielder, with possible platoons in both corner outfield spots, involving Domonic Brown, John Mayberry Jr., Laynce Nix, and Darin Ruf.

Young hit .267 with 18 home runs and 74 RBIs in 2012 with an OPS of .707. In seven MLB seasons, Young has a batting average of .284 with an OPS of .742.

Young was arrested in April and accused of assault and shouting an anti-semitic remark. From CBS Detroit:

Nell said the 26-year-old allegedly made an anti-semitic remark and assaulted a man in front of the Hilton Hotel on 6th Avenue in New York.

According to the New York Post, a panhandler wearing a yarmulke approached a group of people to ask for some change — and that’s when Young, who was nearby, started shouting, “F–king Jews! F–king Jews!”

The confrontation quickly turned physical, according to police, when Young allegedly pushed a 32-year-old man to the ground.

Both groups eventually retreated to their rooms, and that’s when sources say the man Young allegedly injured noticed several scratches on his arm and called 911 around 2:30 a.m. Police responded to the hotel, where the victim received treatment for minor injuries.

Sources say that Young was “highly intoxicated” and had to be taken to the hospital to sober up before being taken to a police precinct.

Young, who reportedly has had problems controlling his temper in the past, has been charged with ”aggravated harassment,” and is currently in custody.

Nell said the NYPD Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the hate crime allegation.